California was the location for 10 of the 100 highest-performing U.S. feature films released theatrically last year, according to a study released this month by FilmL.A. The 2017 Feature Film Study by the Hollywood nonprofit that coordinates location film permits in Los Angeles, unincorporated Los Angeles County and other jurisdictions concluded, however, that the state remains at a disadvantage in attracting films with budgets of $100 million or more. Last year was the third in a row that California did not benefit from a single major live-action film with a budget of $100 million or more. “In fact, the largest live-action movie budget spent in California was ‘The House,’ which had an estimated budget of $40 million,” the study said. Only Georgia had more film production in the U.S., with 15 feature films among the top 100. Canada led the list with 20 feature films made there that were released in 2017. Still, California remains a popular state for film production. It was the primary location for music scoring for 37 of the 100 films in the 2017 study. It was also a location for the production of films released by streaming services like Netflix Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. “While these streaming films will not have an impact on the future FilmL.A. reports about the top 100 theatrical films, they have a major impact on the local economy in terms of jobs and spending,” the report said. FilmL.A. President Paul Audley said that California remains a top competitor in an age when film production is an established global enterprise. “This report reinforces a fact that is increasingly well understood – that a skilled local workforce, robust infrastructure support and a competitive film incentive are prerequisite for film project attraction at scale,” Audley said in a statement. The California Film & Television Tax Credit Program 2.0 will help in keeping film production here for the foreseeable future and secure L.A.’s status as the entertainment capital of the world, the study concluded. “Over the next two years, ‘A Wrinkle in Time,’ ‘Bumblebee,’ ‘Captain Marvel’ and other key projects that qualified for the (state tax credit program) will help increase California’s share of top 100 films,” the study said. Career Advancement The Hollywood Professional Association is accepting applications for its third annual Young Entertainment Professionals program to support career advancement and education. The year-long program will have its members participate in events put on by the Burbank-based association, including its Tech Retreat and annual awards show in November. The program is open to professionals between 21 and 35 years of age currently working in the media content creation industry. There is no fee associated with the application, which is due by Sept. 10. Applicants do not have to be members of the association. Association President Seth Hallen said that since starting in 2016, the program has supported the development of more than 50 accomplished media professionals. “They have been bringing tremendous value to the HPA as they have actively engaged with our members and committees,” Hallen said in a statement. Innovative Accounting Entertainment Partners has been named by CFO Tech Outlook as a company of the year and a top 10 financial reporting solution provider. The Burbank payroll and production accounting firm receives the distinction as it settles into to its new space near the Hollywood Burbank Airport. CFO Tech Outlook, an online publication, selects the companies on its list through a panel made up of its editorial board, chief executives, chief innovation officers and chief financial officers. Entertainment Partners has made strides to digitize the back-office processes of film and television production through its SmartStudio software suite, which has improved workflows of the entertainment industry from pre-production through shooting and to the payment of residuals. Chief Technology Officer Patrick Baca said clients have embraced the new products. “We built our reputation on innovation and while we value this terrific recognition, the best reward is our clients’ appreciation and trust,” Baca said in a statement. Entertainment Partners’ new offices are located in 130,000 square feet at 2950 N. Hollywood Way. Ron Cogan, vice president of communications, said the company aims to have a very welcoming and accessible space. “We have many types of collaboration areas; all employees have sit/stand desks that change with the push of a button,” Cogan wrote in an email the Business Journal. “We have a grab-n-go mini-mart and an onsite caterer.” Staff Reporter Mark R. Madler can be reached at (818) 316-3126 or [email protected].